Circle of Fifths: Everything You Need to Know

The circle of fifths is a unique pattern of the 12 pitches in western classical music theory which is commonly paired with information about key signatures but also gives many insights into harmony, intervals, transposition, and chord structure.

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0:00 - Introduction
0:56 - How It's Built
2:16 - Major and Minor Key Signatures
3:59 - Harmony
6:32 - Intervals and Transposition
8:12 - Chord Structure
10:44 - Conclusion
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[BradHarrison]

Take private lessons online with me! Trumpet, brass, theory, composition & arranging, improvisation, or whatever musical/life coaching you’d like to work on. More information at www.bradharrison.ca/lessons

[christiano]

I appreciate the taupe/beige background. It is more calming on my eyes and less harsh than a bright white screen that feels overwhelming while I’m trying to study this lol

[chrishamilton]

My guess is that it will take me about a year to absorb most of this. Everything moves from seemingly elementary to complex is a very short time. thank you very much for doing this for the music community.

[ATthemusician]

Something notable is that if you take a key, let's say G which has 1 sharp, and look at Gb, it has 6 flats.
A key signature and its flattened counterpart have sharps/flats that always add up to 7.
C has 0 sharps while Cb has 7 flats,
E has 4 sharps while Eb has 3 flats,
D has 2 sharps while Db has 5 flats, etc.

[hambugg]

incredible how i've been playing piano for 20 years, I've taken and passed 10 state certified music levels, passed an advanced college course in jazz theory, and only now do I feel like I understand the circle of fifths. what the hell. You're awesome

[lightwarrior]

Man you broke this down so much easier than my music courses.

[johnlong]

I learned more here in 10 minutes than I did in a year of music lessons at my school. Thank you.

[adikickass]

I've always found parallels between music, painting, and science in the sense that the infinite complexity of it all is produced by combinations of a small set of basic primary elements. The way you explained it in this video puts everything into perspective. Also, I spent close to half an hour trying to figure out that stairs diagram before I finally gave up lol. Thanks man, your videos are the gift that keeps on giving.

[bachouvenn]

Exactly when i need this, you release this.
Are you reading my mind?

[vivianreaves]

FINALLY! Someone has FINALLY explained the circle so I understand it. Music reading, writing, understanding of why written music is written as it's written and playing are much easier now. THANK

[lewissaundersguitar]

And just as I became aware and surprised that I hadn’t heard it yet, ‘the lick’ appeared.

[modmeddon]

As a visual learner, I've always been able to grasp a new concept, skill or task when demonstrated and explained exactly as you have. Thank you for this exceptional video that finally turned the "lightbulb" on in my brain!

[Jugem]

I'm getting back into music after a time away from it. Knowing how lacking I was in theory, finding this video serves as a perfect reintroduction for me. Brilliant resource. Thank you!

[dust.]

If i didn't watch this, i would've failed class, this man deserves more subs.

[Mariposa_]

I have had piano lessons for years, but was only taught how to read music. I just discovered music theory and have fallen in love with the circle of fifths. Your tutorial has gone into incredible depth and it will take me quite some time to digest it all. Thank you so much for this concise and detailed set of information!. Love it!

[dawsonzentz]

I just started learning music theory and this just absolutely BLOWS my mind. I’m currently a premed student in my junior year and am playing guitar/learning theory as a hobby. Basically just doing anything music because I love music so much. I spent about 3 hours on this 11 minute video just soaking up every piece of info here and this is by far the best video I’ve come across about this topic. I can not thank you enough

[shaunoleary]

I'll have to watch this 700 more times but I'm fascinated so thank you for making it!

[DinoNuggies]

I've watched Piano Pig for a long time, he taught me just about everything I know, and this video just strapped it all together. Now I just need to memorize the circle, practice the licc around the circle, learn how to read sheet music, and I'm a full out musician.

[lindaginn]

Like everyone else, I appreciate how thoroughly, yet concisely you explain everything in a manner that is easy to understand. The visuals and illustrations are excellent! I don't have anything to add to what others have commented on. This comment is mainly to appease the algorithm gods. 🙂 Thank you for all your efforts to make these videos!

[gerardc]

This is the best and most complete explanation of the circle of fifths that I have found, thank you 👍✌